Welcome to Costa Rican Spanish, the blog for Spanish language enthusiasts who want to know the subtleties of Spanish in Costa Rica. I am a Spanish speaker and teacher who grew up in the United States. After moving to Costa Rica, I realized that Spanish in Costa Rica, especially in rural areas, is quite distinct from Spanish I've encountered in other Latin American countries.

Monday, March 4, 2013

What does EBAIS mean?

EBAIS is a Costa Rican acronym for Equipo Básico de Atención Integral en Salud. I apologize if that's still gibberish to you. It's basically a rural clinic in Costa Rica that has basic outpatient healthcare services. They are run by the government as medical outposts for people who have a difficult time getting to a larger city for a full-on medical facility. Services that are even more "básicos" can be found in extremely rural, isolated areas where local clinics are makeshift facilities at the town hall (salón comunal) where a nurse may visit once every two weeks (or cada quince as they say in Costa Rica). Of course, in Costa Rica everyone is covered for healthcare services under their Social Security system, or Seguro Social as it's called. It's rather impressive that they can operate a nationalized healthcare system with the level of access that they offer. Even the most remote of areas will have basic services, and can travel to a larger town to be seen for more acute or complex matters. Still, private clinics and hospitals exist for those who are able and willing to pay. Some of the more upscale facilities will have more up-to-date equipment, but I don't care to make any blanket qualitative statements about the quality of care in private vs. public facilities. I simply can't make any judgement calls. Costa Ricans, who tend to be a rather proud lot, are especially proud of their Seguro Social. Its universal nature serves as a source of pride for Costa Rican nationals, many of whom are aware that even in the United States there is not such a system (at least not a universal one, as not everyone is covered under Medicare or Medicaid). ***As a side note, the United States has, of course, passed the Affordable Care Act (ACA or "Obamacare"), which will cover everyone in some shape or form. Also, the ACA has some more proactive population health measures like the licensing of accountable care organizations (ACOs) that re-align incentives at the point of care and the administrative level to focus on quality improvements and cost reductions, respectively.***

Learn the Spanish of Costa Rica

What is your favorite Costa Rican Spanish word or expression?

Costa Rica

These are some photogenic chanchitos on my farm. In Costa Rica, 'chanchos' can also refer to 'las nalgas' of a woman. I once asked someone why this is and he responded, "porque los alimentan con plátanos." Let me know if you can figure that one out. ;)

Costa Rica

Have you ever seen two rainbows at once? Well, you betta go yoself to Costa Rica, because I've seen this twice thanks to the país muy chiquitico. This picture was taken from a car in the province of Guanacaste.

Costa Rica

This is a young Guanacaste tree in the tree nursery of the Santa Fe Women's Group. The Guanacaste, a tree that spreads out wider several times more than it does tall, is Costa Rica's national tree. Even though these trees are quite beautiful, farmers often chop them down because they take up too much space on the farm and limit the amount of open grazing area. Nonetheless, Costa Rican cattle farmers usually keep at least one of these trees on any large farm.

Costa Rica

This is Rio Celeste (Light Blue River), one of Costa Rica's finest natural wonders. The minerals from the Tenorio Volcano rise up to mix with the water and turn it blue. The spot where this chemical reaction takes place is called "los teñideros", literally "the dyers" in English. On a trip to Rio Celeste you can also hike to one of Costa Rica's finest waterfalls.

Costa Rica

This is the Arenal Volcano, Central America's most active volcano. It's conical perfection is quite breathtaking and its numerous hot springs baths are very relaxing.

Costa Rica

These are fence posts made of tree branches. These branches continue to grow after they're planted into the ground. In rural Costa Rica this is a very common practice, as regular lumber and cement are hard to come by.

Costa Rica

This is a pony (portranco) running with his mother (female horse is yegua).

Costa Rica

This is doña Felipa, the old lady in Caño Ciego de los Chiles who is pushing 100 years old. (She can't say for sure how old she is.) She walks several kilometers each day between different rural towns. She even takes to the fields to 'volar machete' when she has to. She can't weigh any more than 60 lbs., but she's one tough lady.

Costa Rica

Flor de la granda, the flower of that blossoms from the granada plant, from which hangs a huge, soft fruit. It's the shape of a watermelon and the size of a canteloupe.

Costa Rica

This is a cow in rural Costa Rica. To get a cow to move in Costa Rica, you yell "aca!" It's just like 'vaca' without the 'v'.